Monday, August 9, 2010

Happy Trails

I mentioned in my last post that my right IT (iliotibial) band is injured. While I'm in the process of rehabilitating it, I'm not able to run as much as before. This is frustrating to me, because a few weeks ago I joined a bunch of women in Peppermint's One Little Bird CT forum to lose weight. Every Monday we have weigh-in's, and we encourage each other along our weight loss or get fit journey. Several of the girls have taken up running and are doing so well in the Couch To 5K program. We also encourage and motivate each other on Daily Mile. (It's like social networking or Facebook for fitness.)

I started tracking calories again on Livestrong's Daily Plate on June 14th, a week after I finished the San Diego Rock N Roll Half Marathon.

To my dismay, the calorie tracking had no effect on my weight loss. Then three weeks ago, during my five mile run on the coast in Encinitas, I felt pain in my right knee. I knew it wasn't normal and it wasn't good. Shortly after that, my right leg felt tight and sore all the way from my hips to below my knees, to the side of my knee. I realized that the soreness I had felt in my right thigh all the way back to May, was this IT band injury developing. I felt a little sad, like my efforts at weight loss was being derailed. I felt especially defeated as I watched Todd train for his triathlon in September, and he was getting in the best shape of his life.

Then I had an epiphany. Who said I can't be active while running less and rehabbing my leg? Who said I can't just do some less vigorous, simple active things every day of my life, instead of only running 3X per week? Then I remembered how I lost weight in 2004 and was in the best shape of my life. I had a varied fitness schedule and simply incorporated many different activities into my life. Including walking at work during lunch.

So, a couple of weeks ago, on July 22nd, I went out there to the trail that goes around my work campus, armed with my Garmin Forerunner. I used to walk on this 0.92 mile loop trail. I don't know why I stopped doing it for years. My company sold part of the land to a developer, and I thought the trail didn't go all the way around anymore. I was wrong. The trail still goes all the way around, and it has really nice views. And it's a dirt/gravel trail, so it's not hard like concrete or asphalt.

Walking on it literally made me feel blessed. I felt blessed that I can still get an extra two miles of activity in during lunch time, despite my leg injury. I felt blessed to have a job. I felt blessed to work in such a nice environment, where a walking trail like this is right out the door, literally within a couple hundred feet from the front door.

I've been walking on this trail at work during lunch now for a couple of weeks. Today I finally brought my iPod and listened to music, which made it even more invigorating. I'll also listen to podcasts too. The walking is in addition to another workout that I would do either in the morning before work, or after work. I've been switching between Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred DVD, Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga, strength training, and rowing. This past Saturday I even ran some. 5.2 miles of switching between two minutes of running and one minute of walking to rest my legs. I was ecstatic that my leg seemed to have taken it well.

Coincidentally, I stopped tracking calories on July 22nd. I wasn't making any progress and I just said screw it. Counting calories made me feel deprived, even if I wasn't really. If I had a couple hundred calories leftover at the end of the evening, I'd think of something to eat just so I ate up all my calories, because I felt deprived. That's lame. So I stopped counting. I just eat sensibly, practice portion control, and I'm eating a little less carbs.

Today was Monday Weigh-In Day. I am finally losing weight! I am motivated by my progress. What had worked for me in the past, in my 20's and 30's, may not necessarily work for me now. I'm glad I've found daily activity to be enjoyable and effective. And I'm saving money for new jeans. New smaller jeans. :)

You know, I stopped counting calories and lost weight too. I'm glad to hear the scales have turned for the better for you, and that you are wise to let the IT band fully rest and instead find other ways to exercise. I loved walking when I was in rehab.

Yay!! You rock Christine!!! I know it's hard NOT to want to see the "numbers" change like with calories counting or even the scale..but sometimes our body changes(for the better)but the numbers don't reflect it and it can become discouraging...but so glad to hear that you are pushing through and finding other ways to stay active and motivated!! Know that sometimes when You don't feel motivated yourself...that You are in fact a big motivator and inspiration for others!! BTW...what an awesome walking path at work! The views are amazing and looks so peaceful! Glad you have such a nice place to walk!! Keep up the good work girl!!